Jock said that Coverdale used to work on in his shed long hours after the workers had gone home.
"He used to just work quietly along, he was a real craftsman, and I used to be there every day after school probably wasting his time. He said he had to work after hours because he lost so much time during the day talking to the many people who came by the boatyard. It suited me of course."
Perce Coverdale was really the first strong influence that inspired Jock to boat building. He and his life-long sailing mate, Neall Batt, used to offside for him, passing up gear, holding up planks and "generally getting in the way."
"But he was very good to us. In later years in the 1930s I raced against him in his 36-foot Chloe with my 36-foot Westwind."
"I do know,he had the reputation of being a very touchy old genfleman. If he liked you then nothing was a trouble but he could be very difficult. I think he warmed to people who shared his love of boats and the sea.
"He used to just work quietly along, he was a real craftsman, and I used to be there every day after school probably wasting his time. He said he had to work after hours because he lost so much time during the day talking to the many people who came by the boatyard. It suited me of course."
Perce Coverdale was really the first strong influence that inspired Jock to boat building. He and his life-long sailing mate, Neall Batt, used to offside for him, passing up gear, holding up planks and "generally getting in the way."
"But he was very good to us. In later years in the 1930s I raced against him in his 36-foot Chloe with my 36-foot Westwind."
"I do know,he had the reputation of being a very touchy old genfleman. If he liked you then nothing was a trouble but he could be very difficult. I think he warmed to people who shared his love of boats and the sea.
Opening day of the 1938 sailing season:
From left :
Ungava (E Medhurst):
Chloe (P Cloverdale):
Westwind (J Muir):
Horizen (N Southerly):
Devanah (H Hood).
Photograph courtesy the Mercury